This in on behalf of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. In their own words. Ed
Pupils, teachers and parents are being asked to join in this year’s extra special event to help raise £250k for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice community team.
The Schools Walk the Wight, now in its ninth year, enables school children to play their part in the Hospice’s biggest annual fundraising event by taking part in every day walking activities to reach the 26 mile target – the equivalent distance of the full Walk the Wight route.
Four mile schools walk
As well as walking to school; walking with friends or walking with family, the children can also take part in a special Schools Walk – a four mile walk from Freshwater Bay to the Needles Landmark Attraction on Sunday 10th May.
To record their achievements, each child is given a special Schools Walk the Wight map, as part of their special walkers’ pack, with stickers to record each mile or 30 minute walk completed.
Silver fancy dress theme
With this year marking the 25th Anniversary of Walk the Wight, children are also being encouraged to take part in the Silver Fancy Dress theme and a schools’ banner competition.
Each child taking part will also receive a medal and a certificate in their school assembly to mark their achievement and a special Earl Mountbatten Hospice Frisbee for any children who raise over £20 in sponsorship money.
Daniella Johnson, Schools Walk the Wight Coordinator for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice said:
“We have been so lucky with the support we have had from schools over the years and they have made a significant contribution to the £3million that we’ve been able to raise for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice since Walk the Wight first started.
“We look forward to many more children taking part in this year’s event and helping us to raise even more money in this our special 25th Anniversary year.”
Harris Family Cup
The Harris Family Cup will also be awarded to the school that raises the most sponsorship money.
Headteacher of Broadlea Primary, Maxine Leppard, last year’s cup winning school said:
“This is such a great event for the children to take part in. It not only encourages them to take part in more healthy activities, but it is also really good fun and can involve the whole family too.
“Above all it shows the children how they can support other people who are in need – working together as part of the island community. It was lovely to see the children’s pride when they achieved their target 26 miles and they received their medals in assembly.”
Information is currently being distributed to all schools and any children wishing to take part need to register by Friday 24th April, either online via the Schools Walk the Wight page at www.walkthewight.com or by completing a registration form (distributed through schools).
